The Tipsy Bookworm was packed with Plant City residents interested in the fate of the historic 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, on June 8.
The three-story, brick building is currently owned by the City of Plant City and locals are concerned about the uncertain prospect that the city will no longer preserve it. Located at 605 N. Collins St., the community center joins the ranks of other Plant City landmarks such as the Strawberry Festival fairgrounds, the train depot, and the Bing Rooming House Museum – all which define the town and make it unique from others. It was built in 1914 with a cost of $40,000 and was initially Plant City High School.
It operated as a high school up until 1955 and then became Tomlin Junior High School.
In 1975, Hillsborough County and its school board, deeded the school to the City of Plant City.
“When the city took ownership in 1975, it was a community project,” said Jay Hollenkamp. “There was not supposed to be a single tax dollar spent on this school. The community had to figure out what they wanted to do with it. The community was going to raise the money. The community was going to figure out what we wanted. Ultimately, what we’re doing today, is just a continuation of that process.”
However, over the years, taxpayers have had to fund the upkeep of the building. The community center is currently being occupied by the East Hillsborough Historical Society (EHHS), which was established in 1974 with the mission of preserving Plant City’s history. When the county deeded the building to the city, the city in turn leased it to the EHHS. Shelby Bender is currently the president of the EHHS.
“Anybody who’s been around for 40 years or more, they love the building, and they’d love to see it saved,” said Ed Verner, the former two-term president of the EHHS. “It’s iconic. It’s arguably the No. 1 poster child of historic buildings in proximity to downtown.”
No official organization put on the town hall discussion, but the word got around through social media and those in attendance were not shy in being vocal.
“The question as a community is: do we care about this building so much, that we want to put in the effort to get there?” Hollenkamp asked. “Do we see what the end result could be?”
By the entryway, was a jar where residents could place notes with suggestions on what should be done with the building.
Ken Forteny is a professional painter and said that he’s able and willing to provide his services to help renovate the building. He and his wife have a love for old buildings, which is what makes the former high school standout to them. They purchased their 1936 home for its vintage feel as opposed to a more modernized look.
He said that the community center should not have one but several multi-purpose uses.
When the Hillsborough County School Board released the community center to the city, it did so under the condition that it would operate only for public use. If used for any other purpose, it would be given back to the school board.
Multiple functions have taken place at the building, creating new memories with live performances being held in the auditorium.
It’s been used for classes, meetings, reunions, and wedding receptions, among other events.
In 1922, the Woman’s Club of Plant City was officially organized in the auditorium, and in 1981, the school was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The EHHS has also incorporated the Pioneer Museums and History & Genealogy Archives, consisting of historical documents, artifacts, photos, and artwork.
Past strawberry queen gowns and antique farm equipment are several things that are on display for spectators.
Erin Hollenkamp is also enticed by the building’s design.
“The architecture is just beautiful,” she said. “You don’t see buildings like that anymore. If the building was gone and they built something else in its place again, it just wouldn’t be the same contributing value to the city.”
There are those like Plant City native, Angie Klein who are “pro-preserve,” however aren’t quite sure what the community center should become. She also noted that the town hall discussion was effective in bringing the locals together for a common cause.
Although, the discussions will be more well-rounded if more than just the everyday citizens show up, Klein said.
“I think it was a great first step, but we plan to have more meetings,” she said. “This is a community event, and we want the city to be a big part of it. Obviously from the seating, we want the city to see we care, and we want them to be a big part of it and the discussion.”
The city commission on a whole was not present, nor the city attorney or city manager.
There has been concern that city officials have been making plans to take down the building without hearing from the public.
However, Plant City City Manager Bill McDaniel has pushed back stating that the city government has not given any indication that the community center will be demolished.
“We have no plans to do anything to the building,” he said. “If there was a plan to tear down that building, if there was any concrete action in that direction, it would be very transparent because that’s a very expensive project, and that would have to go before the commission.”
In fact, McDaniel said that he and the EHHS have been strategizing on ways to improve the former high school.
He had done an assessment of the building to find out what condition it was in and concluded that it was in much need of repair.
Over the years, it has had many renovations done including brand new roofing.
In the late 1990s, the state issued a grant that funded the air conditioning of the auditorium and ground floor as well as an elevator that was installed in 2000.
According to an engineering report, it will cost roughly $8.8 million to both stabilize the structure and upgrade it for modern use, Hollenkamp said.
During the town hall, several examples of historic building that were successfully renovated and repurposed were mentioned.
One was the Spring Garden School that was built in 1927, in Philadelphia. It was later turned into housing for seniors and homeless veterans, and also offers youth mentorship programs.
Another is the Kennedy Elementary School, established in 1915, in Portland, Oregon. It eventually became a hotel with a restaurant, several bars, a movie theater, soaking pool, and brewery.
Florida State Senator Danny Burgess, who represents Plant City, was also present. He explained how historic buildings in his native Zephyrhills were restored, such as the former home of civil war veteran Capt. H.B. Jeffries, it was used to house Main Street Zephyrhills and later a café.
“I went out and talked to so many people in so many areas in the community as possible,” Jay said. “This is the only issue I’ve ever found where there is almost broad agreement. Everybody wants to save this building. Where it goes from here, we don’t know.”
Although it is wanted by many locals, a second town-hall forum has not been officially announced as of yet.